Nikita: Driven, Determined, and Winner the Lindsay Fox Heavy Vehicle Technician Excellence Award

December 5, 2025

When Nikita joined Patterson Cheney Trucks in January 2024, she was beginning more than just a new job. She was stepping into a career she had unknowingly been preparing for her whole life. Now in her second year as an apprentice technician, her hard work and passion have earned her the winner of the prestigious Lindsay Fox Heavy Vehicle Technician Excellence Award, a recognition reserved for apprentices who demonstrate exceptional skill, attitude and dedication.

Nikita is completing her Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Kangan Institute in Docklands, attending week-long training blocks every two months. She explains that the combination of hands-on practicals and module work gives her the chance to immediately apply what she learns back in the workshop.

Everything she learns in class ties together and reinforces her skills. Her ability to complete all tasks on time, along with her strong engagement in class, helped her stand out among a group of around nine apprentices.

One of Nikita’s proudest moments came last year when she received Patterson Cheney Truck’s Apprentice of the Year Award. The achievement reassured her that the hard work is being recognised and motivated her to continuously learn and improve.

Behind her success is a strong support system. Nikita credits her biggest mentors, Adil Malinovic (Workshop Controller) and Brad Lunt (Workshop Foreman), for always guiding her throughout her apprenticeship. She has always been grateful for their strong technical knowledge and willingness to step in when she needed it on the workshop floor. She also appreciates having qualified technicians throughout the workshop who are always open to helping and sharing their expertise.

Like every apprentice, Nikita has faced her share of challenges. She recalls times where she was given a job she had never done before and had to work through it on her own. These moments taught her valuable problem-solving skills and gave her confidence in her abilities.

Her days range from major services to smaller maintenance jobs, sometimes one big task and other times multiple smaller ones. No two days are the same, and that variety keeps her engaged and excited.

Nikita’s love for mechanical work started long before she joined the trucking industry. Growing up, she spent countless hours working on cars with her dad, who was a mechanic. Together they tackled repairs in the driveway while she was still in school. He taught her many of the foundational skills she uses today. While some of that knowledge transfers across, the world of trucks is very different from cars. She says it is trucks that hold a special place in her heart.

What Nikita loves most about being at Patterson Cheney is the people and culture. She has made great friends and appreciates the positive, supportive environment that makes it easy to learn and thrive. Knowing she can rely on a team that makes every day for her more enjoyable.

With two more years left in her apprenticeship and a major industry award already under her belt, Nikita’s future in the trucking industry is bright. Her journey is a reflection of her eagerness to learn and the strong support network around her. Even early in her career, it is clear that Nikita is just getting started.